EMT Medical Unit Identifying Breathing Issues

Epiglottitis

drooling, stridor, tripod, typically seen in children

Acute pulmonary edema

crackles, pink sputum, history of heart problems

pulmonary embolism

clear lungs, sudden dyspnea, chest pain, cyanosis

pneumonia

fever, crackles, days of onset, productive cough

COPD: chronic bronchitis

overweight appearance, cyanotic, wet cough, edema “blue bloaters”

COPD emphysema

thin, barrel chest, pursed lips “pink puffers”

asthma

wheezing, tripod, needs albuterol or nebulizer

cardiac tamponade

severe chest pain and dyspnea, history of pericarditis and muffled heart sounds on auscultation

Croup

barking cough, low fever, stridor

kidney stones

colicky flank pain radiating to groin, hematuria, nausea

Spontaneous pneumothorax

sudden onset of dyspnea, sharp chest or shoulder pain, tachypnea, usually occurs in people with no previous lung issues, decreased breath sounds on one side of the chest   

Pertussis

“whooping cough”, sneezing, runny nose, coughing fits, history of upper respiratory infection